CX/BA first class awards
Oct 8, 2012, 12:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 93
CX/BA first class awards
Hey guys,
Has anyone had any success in using AY points for CX or BA first class awards?
I tried to book HEL-europe-HKG-HND in June and August for about dozen dates, but no availability. Now I'm looking for BA to SFO or LAX.
Any tips or any place besides ay plus where I could check the availability?
Thanks!
Has anyone had any success in using AY points for CX or BA first class awards?
I tried to book HEL-europe-HKG-HND in June and August for about dozen dates, but no availability. Now I'm looking for BA to SFO or LAX.
Any tips or any place besides ay plus where I could check the availability?
Thanks!
Oct 8, 2012, 2:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Helsinki
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 406
I did a return award trip HEL-AMS-HKG-SGN in Cathay First and Business last year by using Finnair points. I searched for availability by using Cathay's and Qantas' search engine (you need to sign up for their programs). The tickets were booked through Finnair Plus 7 months ahead and at the time of booking there was quite a lot of availability through different european cities.
Oct 8, 2012, 10:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
HEL-LHR-SFO/LAX in First for desired dates is almost impossible even with Avios, so I suspect there may be even less hope using AY points...
Oct 9, 2012, 7:39 am
#4
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
Oct 9, 2012, 9:26 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 93
Oct 9, 2012, 9:39 am
#6
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
Oct 9, 2012, 10:05 am
#7
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
Oct 10, 2012, 4:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA / San Francisco, CA
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite Plus
Posts: 1,150
Just dont expect too much of the CCR. Its a nice lounge, but its still just a lounge.
If you've been to Galleriest First, main difference is a better terrace (and red menus), apart from that, its about the same thing.
(well, you can turn right, not left, after security, but thats a different story
If you've been to Galleriest First, main difference is a better terrace (and red menus), apart from that, its about the same thing.
(well, you can turn right, not left, after security, but thats a different story
Oct 10, 2012, 9:10 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
Just dont expect too much of the CCR. Its a nice lounge, but its still just a lounge.
If you've been to Galleriest First, main difference is a better terrace (and red menus), apart from that, its about the same thing.
(well, you can turn right, not left, after security, but thats a different story
If you've been to Galleriest First, main difference is a better terrace (and red menus), apart from that, its about the same thing.
(well, you can turn right, not left, after security, but thats a different story
In the air, the seat and cabin atmosphere (calm, quiet) are really the most important factors. On the ground, even the food might, just might be tasty...
Oct 10, 2012, 10:30 pm
#10
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
If there is a good pre-flight dining option, I'll just skip the first meal on board regardless of cabin class. When flying daytime East to West, rest, read something, watch IFE and have a few quality drinks. Then some midflight snacks and the lighter meal before landing.
In the air, the seat and cabin atmosphere (calm, quiet) are really the most important factors. On the ground, even the food might, just might be tasty...
In the air, the seat and cabin atmosphere (calm, quiet) are really the most important factors. On the ground, even the food might, just might be tasty...
Oct 10, 2012, 11:03 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
LHR T5 CCR is nice but not a lounge to die for. It may be the almost over hyped exclusivity, that attracts many BA-fans there. However, no limo to the plane... in the worst case bussing among economy class passengers 
!
Once I brought a colleague from my home town traveling to the same scientific congress in Chicago (BA J-ticket, AY Plat) to CCR. I was using MFU to First. He decided to tap his laptop and had ½ a glass of chardonnay during the couple hours layout. So it must not have been a big deal?
!Once I brought a colleague from my home town traveling to the same scientific congress in Chicago (BA J-ticket, AY Plat) to CCR. I was using MFU to First. He decided to tap his laptop and had ½ a glass of chardonnay during the couple hours layout. So it must not have been a big deal
?
Oct 10, 2012, 11:53 pm
#12
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
LHR T5 CCR is nice but not a lounge to die for. It may be the almost over hyped exclusivity, that attracts many BA-fans there. However, no limo to the plane... in the worst case bussing among economy class passengers !
Once I brought a colleague from my home town traveling to the same scientific congress in Chicago (BA J-ticket, AY Plat) to CCR. I was using MFU to First. He decided to tap his laptop and had ½ a glass of chardonnay during the couple hours layout. So it must not have been a big deal?
!Once I brought a colleague from my home town traveling to the same scientific congress in Chicago (BA J-ticket, AY Plat) to CCR. I was using MFU to First. He decided to tap his laptop and had ½ a glass of chardonnay during the couple hours layout. So it must not have been a big deal
?Also travelling for business should never ever be compared to leisure travel.
This thread IS about F award travel.
Oct 11, 2012, 9:44 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 93
Thanks for the all the tips guys. Once again very much appreciated!
Oct 14, 2012, 2:53 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: LH, AY, EK, CX
Posts: 21
Hey guys,
Has anyone had any success in using AY points for CX or BA first class awards?
I tried to book HEL-europe-HKG-HND in June and August for about dozen dates, but no availability. Now I'm looking for BA to SFO or LAX.
Any tips or any place besides ay plus where I could check the availability?
Thanks!
Has anyone had any success in using AY points for CX or BA first class awards?
I tried to book HEL-europe-HKG-HND in June and August for about dozen dates, but no availability. Now I'm looking for BA to SFO or LAX.
Any tips or any place besides ay plus where I could check the availability?
Thanks!
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